It’s that time of year again: School’s starting back up, and your children are probably getting excited to see their friends, join extracurricular activities, and, yes, try out for sports teams. And while sports are an incredible way for students to stay healthy and active throughout the school year, never forget to book a sports physical before any activity begins.
Here at Schaumburg Immediate Care, we take our patients’ needs seriously, even if it means helping them prepare for the enjoyable aspects of life. Sports are fantastic for kids, and as soon as your child has had a physical, you can avoid the worries and the stress and get ready to cheer them on at every meet, game, and tournament.
If your child is new to the sports world — or even if it’s been a minute since they’ve gotten a sports physical — you both may be wondering what it entails. It’s usually a one-hour process, and you and your child will be guided through each event as it occurs.
The process begins with a brief review of your child’s medical records and a discussion about their current health and lifestyle. They may be asked if they experience any pain or discomfort, if they feel physically fit, if exercise is easy for them, and how often they engage in it. The discussion might also include questions about whether they smoke, drink, or do drugs.
Children are encouraged to be honest in this situation so that their providers can give them the best advice for their overall health while participating in sports. We ask that you remind your child that their honesty is necessary for us to do our best for them.
The next part of the process is a physical. Your child’s reflexes, neurological responses, lung and heart functions, and vital signs may all be tested. This is to ensure they are in good enough physical health to participate in their chosen sport. It’s a quick and easy process for most children in good physical health.
The last part of the process is testing. Bloodwork or a urinalysis might be helpful to ensure that your child’s organs are working properly and that they don’t have any underlying problems. This isn’t always necessary, so whether it’s done could depend on the sport, your child’s medical records, or your insurance plan.
Many parents aren’t sure if a sports physical is the same as a yearly physical, but we assure you, they’re two different things. The former is focused specifically on whether your child is healthy and well enough to safely participate in a particular activity, such as soccer or basketball. The latter is meant for general wellness.
There was some concern that kids who participate in PPEs (or preparticipation physical examinations) don’t actually see a provider for their yearly appointments. But a 2021 study found this wasn’t the case. Most student-athletes surveyed in the study participated in both. Scheduling a PPE can even help parents and kids remember to take wellness visits seriously.
We know this is a hectic time of year as you schedule all the aspects of back-to-school life, but don’t forget to make an appointment for your child to get their sports physical. Once you have this out of the way, you can know that your son or daughter is ready for the sport (or sports) of their choosing and that they can safely compete — and have fun while doing it.
To make an appointment at our Schaumburg, IL, office, call us at 847-250-1700. You can also make an appointment online at your convenience. We’re excited to meet you and your child and to get them ready for the new school year.
